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An Art-Deco-Inspired Black-and-Silver Wedding in San Francisco, California

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Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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Kathryn and Joe

In April 2000, Kathryn Kalabokes was waitressing at a restaurant in the newly opened Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco. Joseph Della Cella was working for a sports radio station and on one of his trips there, they met. Ten years later, Joe, now the director of communications for a nonprofit organization, surprised Kathryn with a proposal at the stadium. She thought they were attending an event there, but instead Joe walked her down to home plate and popped the question.

Kathryn, who now owns Dream A Little Dream Events, a wedding-planning and design company, got to work on their December 30, 2011, wedding, with a plan to showcase their beloved city by the Bay and the romance it spurred.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Location

Early in their relationship, Kathryn and Joe went to a concert at the Bimbo's 365 Club. The venue, opened in 1931, left such a lasting impression, that they chose it for their location. Its Art Deco decor had dramatic flair and influenced the wedding’s theatrical theme.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Invitation

Hello!Lucky worked the couple's black, white, and silver palette into the stationery suite. The screen-printed invites, programs, and reply cards were accented with the calligraphy by Michele Papineau.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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A Warm Welcome

Guests received by canvas bags made by The Wedding Chicks, filled with locally brewed Moylan's beer, a mermaid bottle opener, bottled water, a guide to San Francisco, two tickets for a cable car ride, almonds, crackers, salami, and brie cheese.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The First Look

Before the ceremony, the couple got together at the Buena Vista Cafe. "It was so much fun walking through the extremely crowded bar in my wedding dress to Joseph -- the guy that had been waiting in his tux at the end of the bar for 30 minutes," Kathryn says.

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Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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Portraits in the Park

Kathryn and her groom then ventured to Aquatic Park to pose for photographer Kate Harrison. The light rain didn’t dampen the duo’s spirits; they took all of their family and bridal party photos outdoors.

The Flowers

Kathryn’s bouquet, designed by A Simple Ceremony, featured white peonies and white cyclamen.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Guys

Joe and his groomsmen dressed in Calvin Klein suits, and accented their lapels with boutonnieres of tea roses, dusty miller, and star of Bethlehem.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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A Local Charm

One of the groomsmen’s grandfathers had sat on the board for Golden Gate Transportation and started the tradition many years ago of handing out small pins in the likeness of the famous bridge.

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Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Box Office

To honor the venue's original purpose, the couple's friend Carol sat behind the counter and handed out escort-card tickets to arriving guests. "She nailed the part," says Kathryn.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Escort Cards

A total of 285 tickets, which doubled as place cards, were handed out.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Processional

The bride’s father, Chris Kalabokes, escorted her down the candlelit aisle to "By Your Side" by Ben Harper, the musician the couple had seen in concert at Bimbo’s years before.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Ceremony

Kathryn and Joe asked a friend, Gregory Moore, to serve as their wedding officiant. They worked together to create the service, including undergoing "Barbara Walters style" interviews. Gregory peppered their answers and reflections throughout the ceremony. The couple wrote their own vows, too. After officially becoming husband and wife, they stepped off the stage and walked up the aisle to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Cocktail Hour

Beet-and-goat cheese lollipops were just one of the passed hors d’oeuvres from Betty Zlatchin Catering. Others included baby lamb chops, cauliflower-soup shooters, and beef sliders with Tallegio cheese.

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Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Napkins

The couple embraced the venue's mermaid statues as part of their décor and had paper napkins foil-stamped with the siren.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Signature Cocktails

Guests sipped on cucumber-basil gimlets and Manhattans, the favorite libations of the bride and groom.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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Table Names

Since their venue had hosted many musical acts over the years, Kathryn and Joe decided to name each table after an album. Custom-designed signs adorned all 41 tables. After the big day, the couple decided to frame the signage as a memento.

The tables were decorated with of peony, dusty miller, and cyclamen centerpieces. Small candle lamps and votives added a warm glow to the ballroom.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The First Dance

Kathryn and Joe danced to "Lights" by Journey. Then, the band struck up “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” by The Temptations, and Kathryn took to the floor with her father. Halfway through, their family joined in.

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Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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A Small Keepsake

Customized matchbox favors, designed by Hello!Lucky and made by ForYourParty, fit the reception’s supper-club vibe to a T.

Photography: Kate Harrison Photography

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The Cake

The five-tiered confection by Branching Out Cakes was trimmed with piped frosting to match the beading of the bride’s gown. The pair also decided to included a dessert station of mini churros and Mexican hot chocolate.